Recap: Design Disruptors world premiere

More than 1,000 designers gathered at the historic Castro Theater in San Francisco last week to catch the world premiere of DESIGN DISRUPTORS, a full-length documentary produced by InVision chronicling the disruptive and industry-shaking power of design.

The line stretched down the block as movie goers made their way to the red velvet seats, candy and popcorn in tow. The film’s subjects—including Andrew Crow, Head of Design at Medium, Andy Law, Lead Mobile Product Designer at Netflix, and Katie Dill, Head of Experience Design at Airbnb—mingled with attendees who shared one common thread: an intense excitement about the film and the insight it might share.

After the premiere, Andy Law and Katie Dill held a brief Q&A with the audience, responding to questions about how to address the challenge of a lack of diversity in the design field, how to build more empathy for the end user, and what industries are ripe for design-led disruption.

Design Manager Harrison Wheeler said he appreciated the discussion about the importance of having empathy as a designer, and he said he thinks the film is a great primer for those who want to know more about design as not just a discipline, but a powerful force in the industry.

“The film had the right people delivering the right messages,” he said. “Other films ‘about design’ are often really granular—but this one covered a wide range of topics. I think it would be great for people who aren’t in design to see this film, to get a broad and diverse look at the field.”

Those hoping to catch another showing of DESIGN DISRUPTORS have plenty of opportunities to do so. Request a ticket, host your own community screening, or attend a community screening by visiting DESIGNDISRUPTORS.COM.